13 May 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia called on the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, last May 02.

During the meeting, both officials conveyed the commitment of both the Philippines and Timor-Leste to strengthen bilateral ties, as well as deepen the friendship between their countries and peoples.

Ambassador Austria-Garcia took the opportunity to brief Prime Minister Araújo on pending bilateral initiatives in the areas of defense, health and teacher training that both sides could pursue together. For his part, the Timorese senior official assured that his government will seriously look into the Philippine-initiated proposals.

The Ambassador reaffirmed the Philippine Government’s full support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. She also sought the support of Timor-Leste for the candidature of Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) for the term 2017-2020, as well as the Philippines’ bid for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board for the term 2017-2021.

The Ambassador also informed the Prime Minister on the developments in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (WPS/SCS) issue, particularly on the ongoing arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China in The Hague. She underscored the Philippines’ position that the decision of the arbitral tribunal will guide the way forward in managing and ultimately resolving the various claims in the WPS/SCS.

Prime Minister Araújo was accompanied during the meeting by Mr. Alex Tilman, an adviser from the Office of the Prime Minister. Joining Ambassador Austria-Garcia was Third Secretary and Vice Consul Maurice A. Tiempo. END